Jumping In: Emphasizing Swim-Technique Development

Unlike cycling and running, swimming is about more than just getting the mileage in. Technique is key. Photo: Delly Carr

In the final article of his beginner series, Triathlete Magazine Senior Editor Matt Fitzgerald explains why perfecting your swim stroke is key to becoming a good triathlete.Written by: Matt Fitzgerald

Unlike cycling and running, swimming is about more than just getting the mileage in. Technique is key. Photo: Delly Carr

My sixth and last basic triathlon-training guideline is specific to swimming. Technique is more important to success in swimming than fitness. In this regard, swimming is very different from cycling and running. If you don’t come to triathlon from a swimming background, you will advance quickest in this discipline if you make technique development the highest priority of your swim training.

To that end, roughly 20 percent of your total swimming yardage should consist of technique drills. Also, executing at least one component of proper freestyle technique (which you can learn from magazines, books, videos, other swimmers or a coach) should be the top thought in your mind throughout the rest of each workout.

It never stops

The learning process never ceases in triathlon—or at least it shouldn’t. Even the most seasoned veterans continue to make discoveries they use to improve their training practices. But learning is never more important than in the beginning. By applying the guidelines you’ve learned in this article, you will be able to hit the ground running, so to speak, as a triathlete.